Major Issues Loom

New School Board To Face Busy Agenda

SOUTH WINDSOR — The new board of education that will be elected Nov. 8 will make decisions that could shape South Windsor schools for decades.

It will hire a new superintendent of schools to replace Joseph L. Wood, who recently announced he will retire at the end of the school year after 20 years in town.

It also will be responsible for coming up with a plan to renovate local elementary schools after the last proposal -- a $92 million project that would have closed one school and renovated the remaining four -- was overwhelmingly rejected by voters last year.

The only thing that is certain about the new board is that it will have at least three new faces, maybe more.

Although Democrats won a 5-4 majority in 2003, only one, Anthony J. ``Tony'' Fornuto II, is seeking re-election. The other Democratic incumbent running, Carolyn V. Egan, was appointed this year to fill a vacancy.

Republicans are emphasizing their experience -- led by 12-year incumbent Kathy Daugherty -- especially because of the important decisions awaiting the new board.

``I think our advantage is having the expertise and experience in how the school system runs,'' said Republican board member Jan Snyder.

Democrats counter that their team has real world experience, with a total of 45 years of classroom experience among its candidates.

``None of the incumbents, with all their claims of experience, have ever hired a superintendent,'' Egan said.

Both parties say they want to hire a firm to conduct a national search for a superintendent and that the public should have input.

Both parties' candidates also say public input is a crucial step in formulating a new elementary school renovation project, with the first opportunity coming at a community forum on the issue at 6 p.m. on Tuesday at Timothy Edwards Middle School.

The Democratic candidates in the Nov. 8 election are:

Fornuto, 46, a project manager for Western Massachusetts Electric Co. He has been on the board since 2003 and is vice chairman of the town capital projects committee.

Egan, 44, a teacher at Manchester Community College and an attorney. She was appointed to the board in May and has been on the economic development and human relations commissions.

Lisa M. Maneeley, 41, a math teacher at East Hartford Middle School. She has been an educator for 15 years and has taught in South Windsor, Middletown, Manchester and Somers.

Maureen Labanara, 43, a real estate agent and beauty consultant. Previously, she was a computer specialist for 18 years at Nutmeg Federal Credit Union.

Jack M. Chinsky, 62, is a psychology clinician practicing in town. He is a professor emeritus at the University of Connecticut, where he taught for 30 years.

The Republican candidates are:

Daugherty, 45, a homemaker and cheerleading coach at Tolland High School. She has been on the board for 12 years, chairman for four years and vice chairman for four years.

Snyder, 48, an assistant director of purchasing for the state Department of Transportation. She has been on the board for eight years and is event chairwoman for South Windsor Operation Graduation.

David Joy, 50, a vice president of supply chain management at Bank of America. He has been on the board for eight years, most recently as secretary.

Rick Stahr, 42, a consultant in corporate education for The Hartford. He was appointed to the board in June and has been in education for 20 years, having taught technology and language.

Tim Kenefick, 42, an assistant vice president and actuary at The Hartford. He was a member of the board's citizens' advisory council and worked for the elementary school renovation referendum.